Surigao Diamond Knights seek finals slot in Philippine Chess League

The Knights owned by Arena Grand Master (AGM) Rey Urbiztondo will face Chesmis TV in the semifinals with the winner going to the finals.

PCL is an online chess league organized by the Philippines' Finest Chess Club.

The Knights are the sister team of Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates which competes in the 2022 Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) tournament.

Earlier, the Checkmates was given the Team Sportsmanship Award by the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) for its tournament last year.

The team got the award for being cool and fair in all its matches last year.

Earlier, Urbiztondo told NewsFort that his team this year will be composed of the core group of UAAP grand slam champions of FEU Tamaraws.

Aside from the Tamaraw players who mostly hail from Cagayan de Oro City, the team will also have former Lady Board one player of Adamson University alongside former Adamson University standouts FM Vince and Tyrone Alaan.

The FEU standout players are Lennon Hart Salgados, Alfred Rapanot and Antonio Chavez, John Marel Morazo of Tarlac City is also part of the team, Marnel Batulan-Romero, former Adamson’s top board, Aubrey De Guzman-Gallardo, former top board of UP Diliman team, Fr. Vic Arellano, former Liceo de Cagayan champion, Engr. Joselito Serna, of Surigao City,Fide Master Vince Alaan, 1986 Asian Under 16 Champion, Antonio Chavez, Tyrone Alaan, Cyrus Donasco, Tandag and Rogelio Canoy of Surigao City.

As the owner of the Checkmates, Urbiztondo is giving a form of livelihood to some chess players in Mindanao in the PCAP tournaments.

Aside from Urbiztondo, the team is managed by Engr. Dodjie Morales and sponsored by Congressman Robert Ace Barbers.

PCAP is the first professional chess league in the Philippines wherein the players are provided with salary and incentives from the team they are playing just like in other professional sports like the PBA.

Urbiztondo is also busy organizing chess tournaments to allow Mindanao players to participate and earn if they win. (Romeo Braceros Jr.)